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Florence’s Community Grocery Store Faces Uncertain Future

The interior of the Florence Community Grocery Store, central to the community's food access efforts.

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News Summary

The Community Grocery Store in Florence is facing an uncertain future as Palmetto Housing plans to sell the property. Despite being a vital resource in a food desert, challenges have arisen following the store’s rebranding and management disputes. Local businesses and the community are rallying to support its operations as the city commits to improving food security.

Florence’s Community Grocery Store Faces Uncertain Future

In the charming city of Florence, the fate of its beloved Community Grocery Store hangs in the balance as the nonprofit organization, Palmetto Housing, pushes to sell the property housing the grocery store. This situation comes on the heels of a significant shift in management and a challenging landscape for food access in the area.

A Food Desert’s Struggle

Florence’s grocery store, started with much hope nearly a decade ago, has been a lifeline in an area classified as a food desert. In simpler terms, this means that many folks in the community struggle to find affordable and nutritious food options. Palmetto Housing, which is affiliated with the Housing Authority of Florence, teamed up with the city to create this vital resource. After receiving a whopping $3.3 million in funding—which included a substantial city grant—Florence finally opened its Community Grocery Store in 2021, originally branded as Save A Lot.

However, things took a twist in 2023 when Save A Lot dropped its license for the store, leaving everyone wondering what would happen next.

Community Grocery Rebranding

After Save A Lot’s departure, the store faced considerable challenges. In a bid to keep the doors open and maintain operations, Tim Waters, who runs the grocery store, decided to rebrand it as the Community Grocery. This move came after he began selling shares to fund the store. Despite his best efforts, things have not gone as smoothly as hoped, and he found himself in hot water due to disputes with Palmetto Housing regarding rent and required reports.

Recognizing the significance of the store to the community, Waters turned to social media for support, highlighting that several Black-owned businesses were stepping up to donate goods to help stock the shelves. Meanwhile, the National Black Farmers Association began accepting donations for the store, reflecting the community’s resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity.

The Property For Sale

The building, which was transferred to Palmetto Housing for a mere $1 in 2017, has now been listed for sale as of March 2025. Al Bradley, the executive director of Palmetto Housing, has expressed a desire to shift focus to new projects once the property is sold. However, he mentioned that Waters had violated lease agreements, including late rent payments and lack of timely reports, which has complicated negotiations.

If the grocery store is to remain operational, it would require a competitive offer that reflects its appraisal value. The proceeds from any sale aim to reimburse Palmetto Housing and the city for their initial investments. This includes a $300,000 grant given to Waters to help with expenses related to the building.

City’s Commitment to Food Security

Despite the storm brewing around the grocery store, Florence remains devoted to fighting food insecurity. The Florence Assistant City Manager has confirmed that the city is committed to initiatives that promote healthy living and food accessibility, such as plans for a City Center Farmers Market.

Past efforts to find new tenants for the grocery store have proven disheartening. Bradley noted that previous attempts to procure other grocery businesses have not materialized, leaving many in the community anxious about their food options.

The Future of Community Grocery

As Palmetto Housing moves forward with the sale of the property, any decisions will be made with the community’s needs and values in mind. The future of the Community Grocery Store is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the spirit of Florence will continue to fight for better access to food and resources. The local community is rallying to support the grocery store amidst these changes, showcasing its determination to keep this essential service alive and thriving.

Ultimately, the path ahead remains rocky, but the residents of Florence are sure to make their voices heard as they work towards a more food-secure future.